As some of you already know, Kimberly the winner of my apron give away chose a Christmas apron.

I decided to take a picture of a few and let her choose which one she would like.

Now here’s the fun part. Let’s play a guessing game. Leave a comment saying which apron you think Kimberly will pick. Here is her blog if you want to read a bit about her. http://campandcottageliving.blogspot.com/ This might help you decide.

Whoever guesses the right apron will get their name in a drawing for another Christmas apron. Double give away! Won’t this be fun.

Kimberly, when you read this, e-mail me at jmolson53@gmail.com with your choice. We must keep it a secret!

Here are the aprons:

Apron #1 is a vintage looking apron with Christmas trees and green rick-rack. (you can click on any pic to enlarge)

Apron #2 is red with Christmas words and packages. The contrasting ruffle and pocket is green and white.

Apron #3 and #4

These aprons are alike, a peppermint on a black background fabric. The picture looks a bit pink, but it’s not. #3 has a red polka-dot pocket and ruffle with black rick rack. #4 has a black with red.

Now, don’t all of these aprons make you want to whip up something?

That’s what I did Thursday.

I steamed some carrots and potatoes. Sauted onions,celery, and mushrooms in butter till tender. Added a bit of fresh rosemary along with Italian Seasoning, sage, parsley, and S&P.

I love having fresh rosemary right in my window sill.

Then I mixed up some Poultry gravy mix that I had bought at Costco.

Rolled out some puff pastry I had in the freezer. Cut a few slits in the top. Brushed it with egg whites.

I even had enough to make a couple of individual ones. Baked it a 350 degrees for 30 min.

Voila! It was so delicious.

Now, have fun guessing and I hope you are whipping up something tasty in the kitchen!

Let’s have the deadline be Monday Nov. 7th. The winner will be announced the 8th.

Today, two of my friends; Peggy and Ann came by to make some Halloween treats.First we made Licorice Caramels:14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk 1 1/2 c. corn syrup 2 tsp. anise oil, we liked 1 1/2 tsp.1 cup butter 1 tsp. black paste food coloring2 cups sugar 1/4 tsp. saltButter an 8-inch square baking pan; set aside. In a heavy 4-qt. saucepan combine condensed milk, corn syrup, butter, sugar and salt. Place over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until well mixed. If sugar crystals are present, wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush. Cook, stirring constantly to 242 F (120C) We found this to make the caramels too hard. we cooked them to 230 degrees. So soft and chewy. Remove from heat and stir in flavoring and food color; blend well. Without scraping, pour into prepared pan. Allow to stand at room temp overnight. Cut into 1-inch squares. Wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap.Here I am stirring the black paste food coloring in. Thought I would use a B&W photo to get you in the Halloween mood.I am not a black licorice lover. But these are to DIE for! That’s why we liked a bit less flavoring. That way you could taste a little more of the caramel.This is my friend, Ann pouring it into the square pan.Remember how it said not to scrape the pan? Do you think we were going to let that go to waste? Yes, it will go to my waist!We scraped it onto a plate so we could sample. It was wicked good!My friend Peggy is a gourmet candy maker. Seriously, she makes dipped chocolates that would even make Mrs. Cavanaugh jealous. She came along to coach us. She had just made goodies for her daughters wedding last week. There were jars filled with decadent wonders.You might remember, Peg is the one that I named my hairy tailed rat after.Notice our black teeth? Is that Halloweeny or what?Then we made Caramel Apple Bites. Simply buy a brick of caramel, dried apples ( ours were Nutty Guys), white chocolate or Almond Bark, cinnamon and sugar.See that big block of caramel? It’s real caramel, Peggy kept reminding us that it was. Me and caramel, that’s a dangerous combination. They’re lucky I didn’t just climb into the pantry, shut the door, and chow down on that entire block.Now to continue, you cut the apple rings in half, cut off a chunk of caramel and mold it around the apple. Not completely covering it, just on one end. Melt the choc. in the microwave at 50% power. One minute at a time till melted. dip caramel wrapped apples. Lay out on parchment or wax paper. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. You can dip a few at a time and then sprinkle.These may not look it, but they are so YUM-O! This is a term my youngest daughter always says. I’ve never asked her, but I think it’s because when you taste something delicious you say YUM and then OH or Oh YUM! Either one works.We think that they look a bit like little scorpions. Don’t let their looks fool you. They are delicious!Ending with another B&W. Can’t wait to wrap my caramels in the morning!Have a hauntingly good day! Jann
Linking up with:Miss Jenny for Anything Autumn

This morning as I was getting ready for church hubby asked, “What do you want to do today?” I quickly replied, “Just be lazy.”

Then he mentioned he thought we could go for a ride up the canyon after church and take a walk through ‘Cascade Springs’.

Immediately my thoughts went to “SUNDAY DRIVE”.

Growing up my family would often go for a Sunday drive. I think it was an inexpensive way to entertain us kids. Back then a tank of gas only cost five to six dollars.

Now days, Sunday Drive is not so economical.

However it is still delightful.

We live very close to the entrance of a National Forest. You can drive clear through it (this is called driving the loop) and come out in Provo Canyon.

Today we decided that we would enter at the mouth of Provo Canyon and come out in American Fork Canyon. This is the canyon close to our home.

We stopped and took a few shots of the Provo River and Bridal Veil Falls.

There is a train that runs along the river. During the month of October they do a ‘Haunted Halloween Train Ride’.

Our family road it a few years ago. Creepy terrifying zombies would come onto the train and stare right in your face. A few of the grandies got a bit scared.

Along the route you would see scenes of cemeteries, car wrecks, and other haunting sights.

Finally, we arrived at Cascade Springs. We would visit there often growing up with my family. Usually you would be the only ones there. Once in a while you might see 1 or 2 other people.

Not so today, it was packed. I mean people everywhere! That’s how it is with our canyon also. You use to be able to hop up there on the spur of the moment and camp over night. Now, you’re very lucky if you find a spot.

Cascade Springs are natural springs that flow out of the mountains.

One of my favorite things growing up was walking on the boardwalks that meandered through part of the trails.

Along the way you see streams filled with watercress and fish, see lots of small waterfalls, and cross three bridges.

It was a beautiful 63 degrees up the canyon. I wore a jacket and had to tie it around my waist it was so warm.

When you reach the top it is a wide open area filled with watercress. Sometimes if you’re lucky you’ll see moose feeding there. Such was the case today. We saw a mom and her calf. I have visited here often and have only seen a moose one other time.

After leaving the springs we drove the loop and saw gorgeous golden quakie trees. The brilliant reds have now turned to brown, but the yellows still shine.

When we were just about out of the canyon I saw a familiar sight. Another thing that I loved as a child.

This mountainside that our mother always told us was ‘Abraham Lincoln’. Can you see it? His hair, forehead, eye, nose, and long beard.

Here’s a close up pic. Now do you see him?HONEST, it’s Abe! lol! Had to throw that in.

We had a wonderful afternoon! After seeing the car to car traffic going up the A.F. Canyon, and the mile or so long line of cars waiting to get in to the canyon; we soon realized what a good choice it was to drive the opposite direction than what we normally would.

There were people everywhere in the canyon. I think I saw at least 5 photographers taking photos of families.

What ever happened to our quiet little ‘Heaven on Earth’ canyon?

I think that those days are long gone. Somehow the world has found out about the beauty of our canyon.

Guess I am just going to have to deal with it and continue to enjoy my ‘Sunday Drive’.

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Hello, I'm Jann

I'm a mother of 5 married children, I have 10 darling grand children with fun and crazy personalities. They help to keep me young. I love the outdoors and love to garden. Just something about getting my hands into ...